[Barefoot]

On Wednesday the Fresh Market opened in Buffalo Ridge (on 466 just west of Southern Trace). It was a real "happening" place!

Huge crowds, lots of free food, line-ups galore, lovely organic fruits and veggies. The place was just booming when we went there around 6:30 PM. They were giving tasting samples of crab cakes when we arrived, yum, earlier in the day it was spareribs and steak. By the time we'd walked once around the store, we were stuffed, free food everywhere.

I think Fresh Market will be a real success story. But I warn you ... don't go there, you'll feel like buying everything you see .. so well presented. I really hope they don't hurt Publix too badly. I think Publix has a very nice store in Southern Trace and they are always so helpful if you need help out with groceries.

[Rokinronda]

I wish Fresh Market had bought the Albertsons.

[Peachie]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

On Wednesday the Fresh Market opened in Buffalo Ridge (on 466 just west of Southern Trace). It was a real "happening" place!

Huge crowds, lots of free food, line-ups galore, lovely organic fruits and veggies. The place was just booming when we went there around 6:30 PM. They were giving tasting samples of crab cakes when we arrived, yum, earlier in the day it was spareribs and steak. By the time we'd walked once around the store, we were stuffed, free food everywhere.

I think Fresh Market will be a real success story. But I warn you ... don't go there, you'll feel like buying everything you see .. so well presented. I really hope they don't hurt Publix too badly. I think Publix has a very nice store in Southern Trace and they are always so helpful if you need help out with groceries.

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Thanks for the glowing report, Bare. I can't wait to get back to TV to take a peek and stock the larder. Maybe with all that fresh food it would be best to shop daily but it's a hike from the 466A area. If they're successful, perhaps they'll open a second store in the Paddock Square area, hmmmm.

[Mikitv]

I am so happy to hear they opened a Fresh Market in TV. I go to the one over in Memphis which is about 100 miles one way but when I go it is worth the trip. We actually will drive over this month and buy our fresh turkey there. They do have wonderful baked goods, produce and meat department. I can't wait to move to TV and be able to shop there more often.

[Barefoot]

I am totally new to Fresh Market. Wow, what a great concept. We don't have Fresh Markets in Canada ... Yet. I'm so glad it is 5 minutes away by golf cart. It was still very, very busy today.

The produce is so varied and appealing! Makes me actually want to learn how to cook. The store is so well laid out, nice music in the background, it just makes you feel like buying more.

I paid $5 for an artichoke from California, absolutely huge, I couldn't resist it. I think it is pricier than Publix, but so enticing.

[graciegirl]

I am not the biggest fan of Fresh Market because we also have Krogers in Cincinnati. I am a HUGE Krogers fan. There is NOTHING like them here in Florida IMHO. Kroger too has beautiful vegetables and fruits, stacked in improbable ways and everything is so clean and beautiful. It is much less expensive too than Fresh Market. We also have Meijers and they have a great groceries too.

Many people like Fresh Market for their prepared to cook or heat section. Remember this is GracieGirl. (cheap, tight, thrifty,....) I find those things enormously expensive and not as helpful as say the wonderful Amish Mashed potatoes, unfrozen you can get....(Can you get them here?) My oldest (longest known) friend (who is coming for a lifestyle visit on Monday) and I are at odds about Fresh Market, but wouldn't it be dull if everyone liked the same thing?

On that note. My neighbor has a new little wrought iron cart with flowers on her driveway.

Smack yourself Gracie.

[chelsea24]

My husband and I went to Fresh Market late this afternoon. Wow! Is all I can say. We did not have one in Illinois. I just love it. Expensive. I wouldn't do all my shopping there. But for lovely extras, some meats, prepared foods, salads, spices and coffees I've never seen, pasta's.... I can go on and on. I know I'll be there quite often.

The Villages just keeps getting better and better. Are we lucky or what!

Oh, did I mention the cheeses, the chocolates, the teas, the.......

[tkret]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

we also have Krogers in Cincinnati. I am a HUGE Krogers fan. There is NOTHING like them here in Florida IMHO. Kroger too has beautiful vegetables and fruits, stacked in improbable ways and everything is so clean and beautiful. It is much less expensive too than Fresh Market.

graciegirl, I agree about Kroger's. In Colorado we had them as "King Soopers" and "City Market" ... and in Arizona they own "Frys". A great company with fabulous customer service.

[Cassie325]

Originally Posted by chelsea24

My husband and I went to Fresh Market late this afternoon. Wow! Is all I can say. We did not have one in Illinois. I just love it. Expensive. I wouldn't do all my shopping there. But for lovely extras, some meats, prepared foods, salads, spices and coffees I've never seen, pasta's.... I can go on and on. I know I'll be there quite often.

The Villages just keeps getting better and better. Are we lucky or what!

Oh, did I mention the cheeses, the chocolates, the teas, the.......

OH....it is indeed heaven on earth!! YES...the cheeses and chocolates...the wines.....and while they have many of the same items and brands as Publix or anywhere else....it is the PRESENTATION!!! WOW!!!

I lived in GSO, NC when they were just a small little store...boutique grocery.....BUT WOW!!!! This is FUN!!

GG....we like to be thrifty as well....BUT this will be the fun place to go when you are having a party.....at least to get the ideas!!

BUT....they are the first store in town to offer a BULK foods section! I love Bulk as sometimes you need a little less or more of something!!


Can you tell I LOVED this store!!! But yes....the regular prices are a little more...but the sales seem GREAT!

Oh I Loved it!!!

[bestmickey]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I am not the biggest fan of Fresh Market because we also have Krogers in Cincinnati. I am a HUGE Krogers fan. There is NOTHING like them here in Florida IMHO. Kroger too has beautiful vegetables and fruits, stacked in improbable ways and everything is so clean and beautiful. It is much less expensive too than Fresh Market. We also have Meijers and they have a great groceries too.

Many people like Fresh Market for their prepared to cook or heat section. Remember this is GracieGirl. (cheap, tight, thrifty,....) I find those things enormously expensive and not as helpful as say the wonderful Amish Mashed potatoes, unfrozen you can get....(Can you get them here?) My oldest (longest known) friend (who is coming for a lifestyle visit on Monday) and I are at odds about Fresh Market, but wouldn't it be dull if everyone liked the same thing?

On that note. My neighbor has a new little wrought iron cart with flowers on her driveway.

Smack yourself Gracie.

Just wait a couple days. I'm sure you'll find the cart much more attractive once she hitches the donkey to it. I just hope she didn't get the donkey with sound effects. (Sorry, I couldn't resist. I truly feel for what you're going through with "that one".)

[Hancle704]

I received a Fresh Market brochure in the mail prior to opening. Stuff looked great but the prices seemed high. Guess they have learned that some Village folks will gladly pay more for quality, ambiance and presentation.

On another matter have you noticed that since fuel prices have dropped recently that there have been no lowering of food prices at Publix. In fact it seems that since fuel prices dropped and the seasonal visitors/residents/snowbirds have returned to TV that Publix has raised prices on most food items. They do not appear to be minor increases.

So with the high end stores like Fresh Market and Publix now trying to position themself as high end, with their re-designed stores, I will be doing more food shopping at Wal-Mart

[renielarson]

Is Fresh Market anyway similar to Whole Foods Market? I love Whole Foods bulk foods and especially the opportunity to buy TVP (textured vegetable protein) that is a dried soy imitation of beef and/or chicken.

I really want a Whole Foods Market in TV and am hoping Fresh Market is a close clone.

[Cassie325]

Originally Posted by brightspot01

Is Fresh Market anyway similar to Whole Foods Market? I love Whole Foods bulk foods and especially the opportunity to buy TVP (textured vegetable protein) that is a dried soy imitation of beef and/or chicken.

I really want a Whole Foods Market in TV and am hoping Fresh Market is a close clone.

While I have never been to a Whole Foods Market...one of the ladies I was conversing with at the Fresh Market spoke of their similarities. She said they were very similar...

I don't know this woman and she could be wrong....but she seemed very kind.

Being from Upstate NY I compared it to a Wegmans...only a smaller scale.

[Mikitv]

I have been to Whole Foods too and there are not quite like Fresh Market because you can buy bulk in some things at Whole Foods and their are more organic foods at Whole Foods. They both have wonderful meat counters more like the days of the stand alone butcher shops. I have Kroger and Walmart as my main shopping here in Arkansas and they are nothing to shout about. After living in Michigan and Tennessee with a great variety of markets and then this is all I have here, it is disappointing. Can't wait to get to TV and have a better selection of stores. When we visited in 2007 we did go to Publix and I was impressed with them also.

[Cassie325]

Hey Mik...how are you? Just so you know FM did have some bulk foods...one whole row...mostly nuts and seeds though. Our wegmans had HUGE bulk sections...I miss that too!

As for organic foods....I am guessing they have quite a bit....but shame on me....the sampleswere so good that I didn't really pay attention. I think that you will like it though!!